In our efforts to get back into shape, Chris and I started running again. Prior to me getting pregnant with Toby, we were both running regularly, and did several races–both 5 & 10ks. After I got pregnant, I had intentions of sticking with running for as long as I could, but I was so sick that it didn’t last very long. Chris ran off & on, but suffered a leg injury that had been keeping him from running as much as he wanted.

We registered for the Peachtree Road Race for this July 4th again and got picked to do it (through a lottery system). We knew we had to get our act together & start running more regularly.

Playing catch up to share memories I never blogged about.. here’s Christmas 2013.

We celebrated Christmas a few days early at home with my family, and then packed up our kids and headed north for Christmas. It takes about 16 hours with two kids between eating, potty breaks, and etc. Our kids were great travelers on the trip up. Everyone was feeling sick on the way home, so that trip was pretty miserable.

We had a great time spending Christmas up north. Chris’s family always goes all out for Christmas and we leave feeling so blessed. I’m so glad I married into such a wonderful family. My babies are lucky and get to grow up with a pretty great family–on both sides. We loved spending time with family, playing in the snow, and teaching Toby to roll over, among many other things.

Here are some scenes from our trip up north.

Watson Cousins

Milk + Cookies for Santa + reindeer carrots

Cuties on Christmas Morning

Furiously ripping into presents. Everything she opened, she responded with “it’s just what I wanted.” So sweet.

Elodie’s third birthday was back in November. I was still on maternity leave, so a stay-at-home-mom friend and I took the kiddos to the aquarium for Elodie’s actual birthday. We love the aquarium, so any excuse to go is a good one. We had not taken Elodie in a while and she is at a great age to really enjoy it. Momma had a fun day with her babies looking at the fish.

Shark Bait ready for the aquarium–Toby at a month and a hafl

Elodie + Ezra

My sweet babies

For her party, since Toby was born at the end of September, I knew I wouldn’t have the energy to plan an elaborate party. We decided to have it at a favorite spot of ours, an indoor playground with inflatables called Catch Air. This place took care of everything for us–all we needed to do was show up & bring cake.

My 3 year old ready to party!

The kids played hard for about an hour and a half, which included a dance party with Dora! Once the playing was done we sang & ate pizza, snacks and cake.

Dance party with Dora

Elodie + Dora

Cake for the Princess

Happy Birthday To You!

I think most little kid birthday parties are enjoyed more by the adults who attend, especially when they can get on all the equipment and play right along with the babes. Here’s Chris going down a slide with another little girl who was there.

Well, to say we’ve been busy these last couple of months is an understatement. I forgot to write about one event, then another, then another to where writing a post at all seemed overwhelming. But as Toby will be 6 MONTHS (!!) at the end of the month, there are things I want/need to write down and remember, so I’ll play a little catch up soon.

Right now, I want to focus on my little man turning 6 months and life as a family of 4.

so happy!

If I could haven written out a description of an ideal son, Toby would fit that description perfectly. He is such a momma’s boy, he has a GREAT little personality, he’s still nursing perfectly when momma’s home (so momma is still pumping at work), and he’s so inquisitive. He already has great hand-eye coordination. He plays with the toys on his car seat and his play mat like Elodie never did, he is starting to pick up & eat little puffs, and he can pick up his paci & put it in his mouth all by himself. He LOVES Elodie. He watches everything she does and thinks she’s hi-larious. I need to write a whole post on what sweet siblings they are, but every interaction they have just makes my heart melt. He really loves to snuggle. He isn’t the best sleeper, but I know I’ll miss the snuggles and midnight nursing when it’s over. I’m trying to enjoy it now while it lasts… even though I’m sleep-deprived.

Always snuggling with momma

Busy boy

We’ve just started introducing him to his high-chair and eating solid foods. Once he turns 6 months, we will try feeding him more real food. So far, he’s just eaten puffs & he’s been spoon-fed some applesauce once or twice. He’s not a fan yet, but he does have 2 bottom teeth that he needs to put to work!

He loves being carried in our Ergo, which isn’t surprising because he loves being held, especially by momma. He likes being outside and going for walks. He can now roll all around in both directions and never stops. He’s a speedy little thing and rolls all over the house.

loves to be carried

He loves being sung to. He likes watching the TV when Elodie is watching something, especially Frozen, which they watch a lot of at the babysitter’s house. Elodie knows & sings every word and that cracks Toby up. Seriously those two, heart = melted.

Best friends

Brother & sissy snuggles

❤

He gives the best kisses & snuggles. I hope he never outgrows that.

Kisses from the big man

I feel so blessed every day to have the two greatest kids alive. I love them so much.

xoxo

Ash

PS: I’ll get better about this blogging thing again, I promise. I really want to document our fun, family memories. Be on the look out for a “Things I Never Blogged About” series including Elodie’s 3rd birthday, Christmas, & etc. Wait, you mean it’s almost April & I haven’t written about my daughter’s 3rd birthday that was in November or Christmas? Yep, my bad.

I’ve been back at work from my maternity leave for a week. It was a rough week.

Reunited after our first day apart

When I had Elodie, in November 2010, I didn’t start working until the following August (2011). I had 9 months home with her. I was really ready to work after 9 months at home. She wasn’t such a “baby” anymore. She was toddling around, eating solid foods & not solely depending on momma & momma’s breast milk. I stopped pumping (Elodie never nursed, so I was GLAD to stop using that dang pump). we found a wonderful in-home daycare, and was feeling good about starting my teaching career.

When I started my job, I was only part-time, teaching first and second periods. My work day was over by noon. If I was able to pick Elodie up before nap time, I had the better part of the afternoon/evening with her. I never missed anything–doctors appointment, sick days, milestones, etc. I was home for these things with her.

This time around, things are a lot different. Now, I’m working full time, Toby is an excellent nurser & I don’t HAVE to pump, and this week I already missed Toby’s second doctors appointment. He’s only 2 months old and it’s already starting. (He’s 12 lbs 13 oz, 24 inches and doing great, by the way!)

Sweet 2 month old

I love my job, I really do. I don’t often feel like it’s “work.” I have some really great friends at work, I love teaching math, and my students are generally pretty entertaining. I rarely dread it. I consider myself pretty lucky for feeling this way about my job, as I know most people probably don’t feel that way about where they work. However, leaving your 2-month old baby boy, no matter how much you enjoy your job, sucks. Toby has been a perfect nurser from day 1, so this is the worst part about having to leave him. This means I HAVE to pump at work, which also sucks.

The thing I miss the most

There have been lots of tears this week. Fortunately, none from Toby. He has adjusted really well to his new schedule at our babysitters. Elodie loves having him around and he’s been perfect, according to our babysitter.

Elodie & Toby at the babysitter’s

I’m sure it will get easier, and I only have 2 weeks of work until I get 2 weeks off for Christmas break. I think I can…

We had a small Thanksgiving this year with just my mom, Chris and our kiddos. I didn’t feel like cooking for just us, so we ordered dinner from a local grocery store and had a very laid-back day. Chris ran a race, like last year, and picked up dinner while he was out. Elodie, Toby and my mom and I spent the morning at our house & baked cookies.

We finished decorating for Christmas. We’ve been doing it slowly but surely since I’ve been on maternity leave & Chris has been off work all week. We wanted a big tree, since we have 20-ft vaulted ceilings in our living room, so we got a beautiful 10ft tree. I’m in love.

We took some family pictures, ate dinner, and relaxed.

Hope everyone had a lovely day. Happy Thanksgiving! We have lots to be thankful for this year, so we’re feeling pretty blessed.

Toby loves laying on his playmat in the mornings & is becoming increasingly more chatty and smiley

We have recently been switching out our fall decor for our Christmas decor around the house. This included getting rid of our pumpkins. We got a 70-something lb pumpkin & live on a giant hill, so this was the easiest way to get it to the street.

Elodie celebrated her 3rd birthday a few weeks ago and got a microphone as one of her presents. She’s been putting on performances for us ever since.

Toby and Elodie are sort of obsessed with one another. This morning, we were spending time in Toby’s room and Elodie wanted to hop in the crib with him and read him a book. Notice how he pays such close attention to her. I’m a lucky momma.

I’m about 2 weeks late in posting this, but better late than never, right?

Here are some scenes from our Halloween this year! My nephew, Josiah, came over to join the Watson kiddos for some Halloween fun! This was our first Halloween in our new neighborhood & it was a blast! We live in the perfect neighborhood for kiddos, minus all the hills.

Rapunzel from Tangled

Little Pea Pod

Cute kiddos in the wagon: Rapunzel & Little Lion Man

Chillin’ in the stroller

Flynn Rider & Rapunzel from Tangled

My hat that I use every year 🙂

And, since we were all out with the kids trick-or-treating, we still wanted to give other kids candy too, so we left some bowls of candy & a sign a-la Parks and Rec.

If you’ve been to our house & seen our driveway, you know kids don’t want to walk up to ring our doorbell. This was the easiest solution at the bottom of our driveway.

Elodie did so great with her “TRICK OR TREAT”‘s & saying “Thanks!” at every house. It was such a fun evening. Just for fun, here’s a look at last year’s Halloween.